The Third of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

3) The Third Gate: Delight/Rejoicing

Delight is a gate of Dharma illumination; for it is the mind of peace and tranquility. (Nishijima/Cross)

Rejoicing is a gate of realizing dharma; it keeps the mind calm and at ease. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas
Be grateful and delight in all things,
That our minds may know peace and tranquility.

Reflection Prompts:

Is delight the same as joy?

How might a “rejoicing” mind remain calm and at ease?

Do you think of this as a strong emotional state or a subtle feeling of contentment? Both? Neither?

Capping Verse:

The good and the bad
Nothing left
Outside joy's embrace

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Anchi]

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai, for the third Gate.

Is delight the same as joy?

Not being a native English speaker, I don't know if I understand the difference really well. In Portuguese we have a distinction between "alegria" (which is more of a peak of hapiness) and "felicidade" (which is an enduring feeling of contentment and calm hapiness). I think joy is more of "alegria" and delight is more of "felicidade". Don't know if I make some sense here.

How might a “rejoicing” mind remain calm and at ease?

I think the feeling of calm pleasure, simple happiness, like the feeling of drinking our favorite tea in the morning or embracing your kid after waking up describes how we can rejoice and stay calm and ease. The difficult part is to extend it so that we can remain calm and ease throughout our difficulties and worries of life.

Do you think of this as a strong emotional state or a subtle feeling of contentment? Both? Neither?

I think of delight in more of a subtle feeling that can be there with or without a strong emotion accompanying it.

Gassho,
Mateus
Satlah

[Guest]

The Third of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

This moment is precious. If we are not paying attention, we miss it. I delight in the practice that makes this recognition so and the joy from this is everlasting.

Gassho

Bill(Daiman)

Sat Today


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[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

I think of delight in more of a subtle feeling that can be there with or without a strong emotion accompanying it.

Something like this is what I would have written too.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[aprapti]

aprapti

sat

[Chikyou]

At times while sitting I have felt a joy, peace, even relief (as if a weight has been lifted) while sitting with everything that is, even the unpleasant stuff.

I don't claim to know, but I feel this may be what is meant by this Gate.

I wouldn't call it a "jumping for joy" feeling.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

[Onsho]

I think rejoice and delight are both strong emotional states if you take the time to savour it while its here. Be a shame to let such fleeting gifts slip past.

Gassho
Keith
Satlah

[Nengei]

Comparing similar concepts across languages can be challenging, and I wonder more what the translators thought in this case! In English I conceptualize delight as being a response more of the moment, and joy as an alike feeling over time. But that is my luggage, not others. It is hard for a joyful mind and heart to dwell on defilements.

Gassho,
Nengei
Sat today. LAH.